Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Journey's End

Camera Shy but no match for the Paparazzi Nazi

Well we did it, 2 states, 1 Territory, around 5,000kms in 9 days in a rather nice hired Holden Cruze. Talked our socks off to the point that the radio was redundant and never turned on. Drove on highway's and byway's, checked out Mogo Zoo, searched long and hard for the elusive Gippsland Worm (only holes for evidence), connected with Friends and my niece in Melbourne and mastered their rather odd 'hook turn' for right hand turns from the left lane (WTF?) Toured the Great Ocean Road, saw kangaroos in the Ottway State Forest, poor possum was bitten by a cockatoo. Checked out pioneer stuff at Swan Hill, toured the snowy mountains and came to a screeching halt on the Alpine Way to allow a wombat to cross the road and couldn't be arsed getting up for the Dawn Service on ANZAC Day so settled for two soldiers raising the flags outside the Department of Defence. Paid our respects to the US Monument and finished off with a late night, too much alcohol and a game of pool.

He's eaten kangaroo and just about everything else, drunk a variety of home-brewed and bought beers. Sampled as many different types of cigarettes as is possible (bad boy). Been sailing. Seen the inside of the Opera House, was denied ghosts at the Quarantine Station and got plastered a couple of times, drinks girly cocktails and has an obsession with Fruit Essences conditioner. Good times and now the trip's almost over. His nibs and Adam are killing Nazi Zombies and challenging the Master Chief in Halo 3. My fridge is empty, wet washing hanging all over the shop and on Thursday, my darling boy goes back home and it's back to Skype conversations, searching for work and the banality of normal life . . . well I guess I'd better get a job since I'm now totally broke, happy but broke!

Seriously, it's been a great visit. He's a joy to travel with, very easy to please. Eats everything put in front of him (albeit a little weirdly, American use of cutlery is rather odd), loved kangaroos, alive and barbecued, smoked my cigarettes but made up for it with pretty decent shoulder rubs is as irreverent as you'd expect but still holds the door open and has manners somewhere deep within. He'll talk to anyone, is honing his pleases and thank you's and well . . no . . he's reneged on the hair cut due to lack of funds (I think he rather fancies that thick mane of blackness) and no, we didn't jump out of a plane. That will have to wait for another day. Seriously, he's just as I expected. Hopefully, we'll connect again next year and I'll drag him along the I80 and smoke his fags . . . hey, best laid plans and all.

It's been awesome Jeff, you're no longer the best male friend I've never met. Right that's enough about him or his hats won't fit if I keep this up. Back to normal programming on Friday. Alan . . . your post cards are on their way. Jelly, awesome job with 10thDoM in our absence.

Right, off to have a little cry because, well frankly, it just wasn't long enough.

After Dinner at Bateman's Bay - South Coast NSW

Coal Creek Mining Town - "Where can we find a Gippsland worm?"

Er . . here apparently but they were elusive

Feeding wild cockatoos at Airey's Inlet . . . it bit his finger

12 Apostles - Great Ocean Road, Southern Victoria

Cocktails with my niece in Melbourne

Roped in as an 'extra' at Ned Kelly's Trial - Old Melbourne Gaol

Loving the Alien

Getting 'munted' on Crispy's home brew with Lenore - Melbourne

At the side of the road, Ottway National Park - Great Ocean Road

Swan Hill Pioneer Museum

Australian National Museum - The Kelly Gang's Armour

Lake Hume - Alpine Way, en route to the Snowy Mountains

Australian Alps - He's wearing MY jacket (well it will be come Thursday)

The beginning of the Snowy River - Mount Kosciusko

Australian War Memorial, ANZAC Day 25, April 2011

Monument to thank the US for support during WWII

Home at last - pool night

Different codes, different game, different colours - same beer - Chargers vs the Roosters -There were no winners that night!

Everything a trip should be and more Helen. You did so well with this, and made such great memories. The photos say it all...and isn't the Mt. Kosciusko terrain wonderful - my favourite sort of environment with its weather-worn surfaces. Hope your Easter was a happy and relaxing one.

I could write something half clever or even half funny. But I'm not even going to try. I am just so pleased that the two of you had such a great time - and I say that with a sincerity that is rare in blogland. Looking forward to the pc's.

Wow - didn't you have a great time? And the photos are fabulous. I love the one at the Twelve Apostles, and the old mining museum (the pennyfarthing) and the 'Where are the giant worms' pic, and ... well. Most of them, really!

It was. I've spent the whole day in tears wearing a dumb Charger's jacket (which I have to return) and lamenting handing back the car we hired. Best visit ever. Safe flight Ninja. Love you to bits you arrogant American. Hope your foot hurts cos my heart does.

Oh Baino....I am melancholy FOR YOU just reading this. What an AMAZING time you had! Skype will have to do "until the next time." AND to think that you got on as well as you did having been STRANGERS not too long ago. Its a gift.

All About Me! (Well almost)

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